Karen Wheeler, M.D., a first-year Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellow in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center, has received a prestigious prize for an abstract on preeclampsia.

Dr. Wheeler, originally from Lancaster, Pa., was awarded the Pfizer-SRI President’s Presenter’s Award from the Society for Reproductive Investigation, for her abstract, “VEGF Stimulates Macrophage Recruitment and M2-Polarization in the Decidua: Potential Relevance to the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia.”

“I am very honored to receive the President’s Presenter’s Award and am hopeful that it is a sign of more success to come,” said Dr. Wheeler, who received her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

The Pfizer-SRI President’s Presenter’s Award was established in 1996 as the Wyeth President’s Presenter Award to recognize the 25 most meritorious abstracts (either poster or oral presentations) submitted by individuals still in training. The award encourages young investigators to submit high-quality abstracts.

Dr. Wheeler will receive the award in March during the society’s 64th annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Her mentor is Nihar Nayak, Ph.D., associate professor and research educator in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.